X Factor: Simon Cowell holds crisis talks with hopefuls and asks for 'more tears' - mirror.co.uk

Simon Cowell has held crisis talks with X Factor hopefuls and asked production staff for 'more tears'.

Simon loves to cry

It comes as TV rival Strictly Come Dancing narrowed the gap in the Saturday night ratings battle and the BBC dance show star Ann Widdecombe branded X Factor awful.

Widdecombe, 63, told Star mag she didn't even watch X Factor, adding: 'I'm on the right show, no doubt about it.'

In another dig, Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood said: 'There is a reason why our show has gone as a format to 38 countries and X Factor hasn't. It is classy, it is entertaining and it is fantastic fun.' This weekend Strictly peaked at 12.2million with X Factor on 13.5million.

Cowell spoke to all the singers for 30 minutes on Sunday in a 'pep talk'.

Insiders claim he has become 'a diva'. One said: 'Simon called them together, telling them they needed to get their personalities across. Last weekend all the videos shown as singers come out were re-shot. He wanted more tears and emotion. He is feeling pressure now Strictly is doing well.'"